A full study of the Book of Romans Chapter 4
What’s the book of Romans Chapter 4 all about?
Romans 4 can be summed up in one sentence: Faith is more important than good works.
Abraham was declared righteous through faith, not works, and so are we-
The whole chapter focuses on Abraham. Paul repeatedly states that it is not through good works that Abraham became righteous. On the contrary, he only believed everything the Lord said.
There is no greater blessing than forgiveness from sin–
Paul quotes Psalm 32:1-2 where David exclaims, “Blessed is everyone whose sins are forgiven.” Here, David spoke prophetically, seeing what would be accomplished through Christ. The promise that God made to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him meant that everyone who would emulate his faith would receive the same gift of righteousness as Abraham.
If our being declared righteous does not excite us, then we have not comprehended what Christ accomplished for us-
Looking closely at the wording and trying to discern the tone David uses in Psalm 32, which Paul quotes here, shows that the forgiveness of sin is, indeed, a very very big deal! In the living Bible (TLB), the quoted scripture reads: “Blessed and to be envied are those whose sins are forgiven and put out of sight. Yes, what joy there is for anyone whose sins are no longer counted against him by the Lord (v. 6-8). In nearly all his letters, Paul discusses this matter of righteousness because he wants us to realize what it means.
We can never manifest righteousness until we grasp and accept it–
Being declared righteous means that we now have a right standing with God. It means that the sin problem has been addressed and it is no longer a stumbling block between us and the Father. This is seen toward the end of the chapter, where Paul says that Jesus “died for our sins and rose again to make us right with God, filling us with God’s goodness.” Paul wants us to realize that righteousness is a gift that comes through faith and can only be exercised through the same faith.
Abraham is our father on account of faith, not circumcision–
Paul says that Abraham became the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith even if they are not circumcised. Since circumcision was a sign of covenant (Genesis 17:10-12) signifying God’s future plans, it is not a requisite in the process of justification.
The gift of righteousness is without works–
Paul says that Abraham did not receive the promise through work or obeying any law, but by believing. He continues to say that if keeping the law is necessary, then the promise is pointless. In essence, Paul wants us the Jews and everyone else to receive God’s declaration of righteousness without trying to add any works to it.
Abraham is the father of nations in terms of saving faith–
Although the Israelites came from Abraham, God’s promise that He’d make him the father of nations was more about the many people who would have the same saving faith as Abraham (v.17).
Faith is only effective when based on God’s character–
Verses 18 and 19 help us understand something crucial about God. When He makes a promise, external conditions are irrelevant. God is sovereign and can do anything, at any time. God promises Abraham that he will become the father of nations. Abraham is nearly 100 years while Sarah is past the children-bearing age. Nonetheless, Abraham believes and God eventually fulfills the promise.
Important question from the book of Romans chapter 4
So, what did Abraham really believe to be made righteous?
Answer: He believed God’s future intention to save humanity, including Abraham, through faith in Jesus. Genesis 15, 17
